Mouse Picks Spain, Pig Backs Netherlands Ahead of Final

A mouse has predicted victory for Spain, while a pig has backed the Netherlands ahead of the final scheduled for Sunday.

The rival animal forecasts follow the widespread fame of Paul, the German octopus whose successful predictions for all of Germany’s matches drew attention to the unusual guessing game.

With Spain and the Netherlands preparing to meet, the animal-prediction phenomenon has spread beyond Paul, producing competing picks for the decisive match.

The mouse and pig offer no consensus on who will win. Their opposing choices add a lighthearted sideshow to the anticipation surrounding Sunday’s final.